Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Maine? (2026 Law)

Maine law does not make it a crime to own, buy or sell brass knuckles under the section that names them, but it does limit how they are carried. Under 25 M.R.S. 2001-A, a person may not display knuckles in a threatening manner, or wear them under the clothes or conceal them about the person, unless excepted by a provision of law. A violation is a Class D crime under 25 M.R.S. 2004(2). To compare other states, see our guide to brass knuckles laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-08. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers the Maine statutes on threatening display and concealed carry of weapons (25 M.R.S. 2001-A and its penalty in 2004), the Class D sentencing limits (17-A M.R.S. 1604 and 1704), the Criminal Code definition of dangerous weapon (17-A M.R.S. 2(9)), the school expulsion provision (20-A M.R.S. 1001(9)), the weapon terms in Maine's extreme risk and protection-from-abuse statutes, and the state preemption statute (25 M.R.S. 2011) and municipal home rule (30-A M.R.S. 3001), the dangerous-weapon sentencing rule (17-A M.R.S. 1604(5)), the prison contraband statute (17-A M.R.S. 757), and the Maine Judicial Branch orders on weapons in courthouses. It does not cover Maine's firearm statutes on prohibited persons, firearms in courthouses (17-A M.R.S. 1058) or liquor establishments, town or city ordinances, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

What Maine's statute says about knuckles

Section 2001-A of Title 25 lists knuckles among the weapons a person may not display threateningly or carry concealed:

"A person may not, unless excepted by a provision of law: A. Display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person; or B. Wear under the person's clothes or conceal about the person's person a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person." 25 M.R.S. 2001-A(1)

The section does not define "knuckles." Its history line ends with two 2015 amendments (PL 2015, c. 144 and c. 327). A 2025 bill concerning this section, LD 1147 of the 132nd Legislature, died between houses on June 9, 2025.

Owning, buying and selling

Section 2001-A regulates threatening display and concealment. It does not make owning, buying, selling or making knuckles an offense. Chapter 252 of Title 25, where section 2001-A sits, contains no provision banning those acts or setting an age limit for buying knuckles. The section titles in the Criminal Code's chapter 43 (17-A M.R.S. 1051 to 1059) deal with firearms and related items such as machine guns and armor-piercing ammunition, and the former dangerous-knife section, 1055, has been repealed. This article does not cover every Maine statute, so it does not state that no other law could ever reach knuckles.

Carrying knuckles: concealed, open and in a car

Concealed. Paragraph B of section 2001-A(1) bars wearing knuckles under the clothes or concealing them about the person, unless excepted by a provision of law.

Open. Paragraph A bars displaying knuckles "in a threatening manner." Carrying knuckles openly without a threatening display falls outside both paragraphs of section 2001-A.

In a car. Section 2001-A speaks of wearing an item under the person's clothes or concealing it "about the person's person." Its text does not mention vehicles, and this article draws no conclusion about knuckles kept in a car.

The exceptions, and why a handgun permit does not cover knuckles

Subsection 2 of section 2001-A lists who and what the concealed-carry rule does not apply to. It begins:

"The provisions of this section concerning the carrying of concealed weapons do not apply to: A. A handgun carried by a person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued as provided in this chapter; ... C. Knives used to hunt, fish or trap as defined in Title 12, section 10001;" 25 M.R.S. 2001-A(2)

The permit exception covers "a handgun." Its words do not reach knuckles, so a Maine concealed handgun permit does not by its terms allow concealed knuckles. The subsection is quoted in part here; read the full section for the remaining paragraphs.

Penalties

Section 2004 of Title 25 sets the penalty: "A person who violates section 2001-A commits a Class D crime." Maine's general sentencing statutes then set the limits for a Class D crime.

The $2,000 fine limit applies "Except as provided in section 1706 and unless a different maximum fine is specified by statute" (17-A M.R.S. 1704).

Plastic and other non-metal knuckles

Section 2001-A says "knuckles" and names no material, so its text does not distinguish metal knuckles from plastic or composite ones. No Maine court decision on non-metal knuckles is discussed here.

When knuckles count as a dangerous weapon

Several Maine rules outside section 2001-A use the Criminal Code's definition of "dangerous weapon" rather than naming knuckles. That definition reads:

"C. When used in any other context, "dangerous weapon" means a firearm or any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or serious bodily injury." 17-A M.R.S. 2(9)(C)

The definition does not name knuckles. Section 2001-A itself lists knuckles among weapons "usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person," so a reader should expect the rules below to reach them.

Using knuckles in a crime. Under 17-A M.R.S. 1604(5)(A), if the State pleads and proves that a Class B, C, D or E crime was committed with the use of a dangerous weapon, the sentencing class is one class higher. The rule does not apply to aggravated assault under section 208 (or an attempt), to other offenses in which use of a dangerous weapon is an element, or to offenses whose class is already raised because the person was armed. "Use of a dangerous weapon" turns on the manner in which an item is used or threatened to be used (17-A M.R.S. 2(9)(A)).

Jails and prisons. Under 17-A M.R.S. 757, intentionally conveying or attempting to convey contraband, which includes a dangerous weapon, to a person in official custody is trafficking in prison contraband, a Class C crime. A person in official custody who intentionally makes, obtains or possesses contraband commits the same offense.

Schools

Under Maine's school board statute, following a proper investigation and due process proceedings, if found necessary for the peace and usefulness of the school, a school board shall expel a student, other than a student enrolled in grade 5 or below:

"Who possesses on school property a firearm as defined in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 12-A or a dangerous weapon as defined in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 9 without permission of a school official;" 20-A M.R.S. 1001(9)(C)

This is a school discipline provision, not a criminal offense. It does not name knuckles, but it uses the dangerous weapon definition discussed above.

Courthouses

Maine Judicial Branch Administrative Order JB-05-9 bars anyone from entering or remaining in a Supreme Judicial, Superior or District Court facility while armed with a firearm, electronic control device or other dangerous weapon. The order states: "It is immaterial that the carrying of a firearm or other concealed weapon by a person would not constitute a violation of Title 25, section 2001-A." Under the courts' entry-screening order, JB-15-2, "No weapons of any kind will be permitted in any Maine courthouse," and judicial marshals decide whether an item is a weapon.

Court orders

Maine's extreme risk protection order law, added in 2025, gives "dangerous weapon" the Criminal Code meaning: it "has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 9, paragraph C, including a firearm" (25 M.R.S. 2242(2)). In protection-from-abuse cases, "If the court prohibits the defendant from possessing a dangerous weapon other than a firearm, muzzle-loading firearm, bow or crossbow, the court shall specify the type of weapon the defendant is prohibited from possessing" (19-A M.R.S. 4110(4)). A person under either kind of order should read the order itself to see which weapons it covers.

Local rules

Maine's preemption statute is written for firearms:

"The State intends to occupy and preempt the entire field of legislation concerning the regulation of firearms, components, ammunition and supplies." 25 M.R.S. 2011(1)

Its list of preempted subjects is "firearms, components, ammunition or supplies," and it does not name knuckles. Maine towns and cities have general home-rule power to adopt ordinances on matters the Legislature has not denied to them expressly or by clear implication (30-A M.R.S. 3001), so a local rule on knuckles is possible. Check your town or city code, or call your local police department's non-emergency line, about any local rule.

Self-defense options and the use of force

Readers weighing knuckles often compare other options. The rules for knives are in Maine knife laws, sprays and stun devices are covered in Maine pepper spray and stun gun laws, and when force may be used at all is covered in Maine self-defense laws.

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Maine knife laws
• Maine pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Maine self-defense laws
• New Hampshire brass knuckles laws

This article provides general legal information about Maine law, not legal advice. Weapons laws change and local rules vary. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Maine or your local law enforcement agency.

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Maine?

Maine law does not make owning, buying or selling brass knuckles a crime under 25 M.R.S. 2001-A, the section that names them. That section bars displaying knuckles in a threatening manner and wearing them under the clothes or concealing them about the person, unless excepted by a provision of law. A violation is a Class D crime under 25 M.R.S. 2004(2).

Can I carry brass knuckles concealed in Maine?

Under 25 M.R.S. 2001-A(1)(B), a person may not wear knuckles under the clothes or conceal them about the person unless excepted by a provision of law. Breaking that rule is a Class D crime, punishable by less than one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 unless a statute sets a different amount.

Can I carry brass knuckles openly in Maine?

Section 2001-A reaches threatening display and concealment, so carrying knuckles openly without displaying them in a threatening manner is outside that section's two prohibitions. This article does not cover local ordinances or every other Maine law that could apply in a given situation.

Does a Maine concealed handgun permit cover brass knuckles?

The permit exception in 25 M.R.S. 2001-A(2)(A) covers a handgun carried by a person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued. Its words cover a handgun, not knuckles.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in Maine?

Section 2001-A names knuckles without defining them or naming a material, so its text does not separate metal from plastic knuckles. No Maine court decision on non-metal knuckles is discussed here.

What happens if a student brings brass knuckles to school in Maine?

Under 20-A M.R.S. 1001(9)(C), following an investigation and due process, a school board shall expel a student, other than a student in grade 5 or below, who possesses a firearm or a dangerous weapon as defined in 17-A M.R.S. 2(9) on school property without permission of a school official, if found necessary for the peace and usefulness of the school. That definition does not name knuckles, but Maine law lists knuckles among weapons usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.